±«Óãtv

Children's Channel of the Year, C±«Óãtv, reaffirms its commitment to arts programming today with the announcement of a brand new series, Relic, which brings history to life.

A team of children face the challenge of a lifetime – to enter the British Museum at night to unlock the mysteries behind its most famous artefacts.

Commissioned by Anne Gilchrist, Controller of C±«Óãtv, this new in-house 13 x 30-minute production will broadcast in early 2010.

The Executive Producers are Jamie Rea and Gillian Scothern.

Anne Gilchrist said: "The British Museum is bursting with undiscovered treasures and amazing facts so for C±«Óãtv viewers to have the privilege of running around at night trying to unlock its secrets is an unbelievable opportunity.

"I'm thrilled to be able to open up this inspiring collection, via television and the web, to our young audience."

As the brave adventurers search the museum they must complete complex challenges and confront visions from the past in their quest for answers.

On their journey they will discover the history behind some of the museum's most famous exhibits including how the Rosetta Stone unlocked the secrets of Ancient Egypt and the premonition that led to the discovery of the Sutton Hoo ship burial.

As they race against time, will they succeed and become 'guardians' of the museum, or fail and face incarceration within the museum forever?

The C±«Óãtv announcement is part of the ±«Óãtv's public service partnership with the British Museum called A History Of The World.

±«Óãtv Radio 4 is working with the British Museum on a related series, A History Of The World In 100 Objects, presented by the Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor.

Both projects will launch in early 2010.

The C±«Óãtv announcement is part of the ±«Óãtv's aim to create stronger partnerships that harness the potential of the digital world.

Notes to Editors

C±«Óãtv won the Children's Channel of the Year Award at the Children's BAFTAs in November 2008 and was named Children's Channel of the Year at the Broadcast Digital Awards in June 2009.

Figures show that C±«Óãtv is one of the most-loved channels for children, and it reaches more six to 12 year olds than any other children's channel in the UK. Almost a third of all six to 12 year olds in digital homes in the UK tune into C±«Óãtv on a weekly basis.

The ±«Óãtv partnership with the British Museum is part of the ±«Óãtv plans to explore a series of new partnerships focused particularly on getting content online.

TD